A serving Indigenous WA Police officer believes the state's Police Commissioner Col Blanch needs to offer a formal apology to the community for his comments regarding the alleged murder of Cassius Turvey.
WARNING: This story features the names and images of deceased Aboriginal people, which have been used with the permission of their families.
In an open letter to the ABC, the officer called on Commissioner Blanch to "at the very least" retract his comments about the alleged murder of Cassius Turvey.
"To say that Cassius was in the 'wrong place, wrong time' is insensitive to say the least and apologetic toward the accused man at worst," the letter reads.
"The statement by Commissioner Col Blanch about the alleged murder of Cassius Turvey was, to be frank, atrocious."
The call comes as vigils were held across Australia to mark Cassius's death as part of a national day of action.
The authoring officer — who the ABC has met with — asked for their identity to be hidden out of fear of repercussions from their employer.
"Cassius was doing exactly what white Australians complain Indigenous kids don't do; that is, getting an education and bettering himself so he can grow up to be a contributing member of society," they wrote.
"He was doing the right thing at exactly the right time."
The officer's open letter has been attached at the bottom of this article.
Commissioner Col Blanch did not offer a response to the letter, or offer a formal apology for his comments, when approached by the ABC.
While commenting on the potential motivation behind the alleged murder of the 15-year-old Noongar-Yamatji boy, Commissioner Blanch said on October 26 that "it may be a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time".
The Commissioner's comments were met with criticism from Indigenous communities in Perth, prompting an open letter voicing their frustrations.
"I regret the impact of my words if that's upset the community," Commissioner Blanch responded last week.
Commissioner offers explanation to Mechelle Turvey
On Wednesday, the Commissioner told ABC Radio Perth he had met with Cassius's mother Mechelle Turvey before Monday night's Midland vigil, and explained the context of his comments.
"I believed he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, meaning that he was an innocent person in the wrong place," he said.
Commissioner Blanch did not say he apologised to Cassius's mother, and has yet to offer an open apology.
"I understand the hurt my comments caused … I oppose racism. I have denounced racism. I have sacked police officers who have exhibited racist behaviours."
Rare opportunity to 'show solidarity'
The Indigenous police officer, who wrote the open letter to the ABC, said it was not enough for the Commissioner to explain the context of his words.
"It doesn't take an English major to know that words delivered from such a platform have power," the letter reads.
"Commissioner Blanch at very least must retract his words and issue a new statement (...)."
The officer told the ABC that sentiment within WA Police was a "mixed bag" regarding the Commissioner's comments around the murder investigation.
They said some in the force were apathetic, while others – including non-Indigenous officers – felt uneasy.
"Commissioner Blanch had a rare opportunity to show solidarity and empathy with Aboriginal Australians, not just here in WA but across the nation," the officer wrote.
Comment reverberates around Australia
Last week police minister Paul Papalia said Commissioner Blanch's comments were a "poor choice of words", but also said the Commissioner had "made it very clear he has incredible sympathy, and cares deeply about what has happened".
However, the impact of those words – "wrong place at the wrong time" – have reverberated around the country.
Brisbane-based Wangkamahdla barrister Avelina Tarrago has extensive experience in coronial hearings and has often worked with families dealing with the death of a loved one. She said the Commissioner's comments could have a "devastating effect".
"I'm speaking for myself and seeing other families that I've worked with in [the] coronial space – it's further traumatising an already very, very difficult position for those families," she said.
"Having to grieve the loss of someone, to then deal with those comments on top of it, it has that ripple effect, and it further embeds that division where First Nations people and our lives are not valued in the same way.
"That leadership really has to come from the Commissioner and hearing such comments only leads further to that division."
Full letter from the police officer (redacted for legal reasons)
"I am an Aboriginal police officer, and have been for a reasonable amount of time. I've seen and heard some questionable things in my time, but also seen a lot of good and some progress toward true reconciliation.
However, the statement by Commissioner Col Blanch about the alleged murder of Cassius Turvey was, to be frank, atrocious.
Commissioner Blanch is the figurehead of WA's law enforcement agency and it doesn't take an English major to know that words delivered from such a platform have power.
To say that Cassius was in the "wrong place, wrong time" is insensitive to say the least and apologetic toward the accused man at worst.
Cassius was doing exactly what White Australians complain Indigenous kids don't do; that is, getting an education and bettering himself so he can grow up to be a contributing member of society.
He was doing the right thing at exactly the right time.
And while he may not have intended it, his [Commissioner Blanch's] lack of foresight and decorum caused more hurt to the Indigenous community than he may know.
Commissioner Blanch had a rare opportunity to show solidarity and empathy with Aboriginal Australians, not just here in WA but across the nation.
Commissioner Blanch at very least must retract his words and issue a new statement.
His name was Cassius Turvey. He was 15 and he was exactly where he was meant to be at the time of his death. May you rest easy."
